Introducing a New, ANSI-Compliant Welding System

Global safety superstar MSA Safety and Miller Electric Mfg. Co., a leader within the welding industry, have joined forces to cobrand welding products that combine the best of both companies’ products. As a result of this partnership, MSA/Miller Welding Shield and Adapters are now compatible with MSA helmets and accessories.  This means they have been tested and approved according to the latest American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI)/International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) Head Protection and Eye and Face Protection standards.

What does the American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection cover?

Quite literally, ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 has your head covered. ANSI Z89.1, a voluntary industry consensus standard, undergo review with the latest updates to this head protection standard coming in 2014. Although the overall guidelines stayed the same, a few major changes were made. Of note, manufacturers now must prove any replacement components or accessories added to a hard hat will not prevent the hard hat from complying to the standard.

What is new in the American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices?

The goal of ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2015 is to keep workers’ eyes and faces safe from impact, splashing liquid, debris, and electrical dangers.3 The standard specifies guidelines for manufacturers developing eye and face protectors as well as for employers selecting the best type of protection for their employees’ needs.

ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 was revised to  in 2015 better match global standards, to include streamlined language, to emphasize selection of equipment that offers the appropriate type of protection for the environment in which it is used, and to expand information on “conducting and assessing potential eye and face hazards.” A number of changes were made from the 2010 to the 2015 versions, some of which are specific to welding equipment.

Most significantly, though, Section 5.6 on Aftermarket Components underwent a language revision to clarify that “aftermarket components must also comply with the requirements of this standard.”3 If workers add pieces to or modify compliant equipment, that equipment may longer be compliant—and may no longer protect them. The revision makes clear that devices should be tested for compliance with extra components added.

How does the MSA/Miller System comply?

Both standards require that any accessory attached to a hard hat be tested and proven to not interfere with the compliance of the hard hat. Moreover, the Eye and Face standard requires that all accessories attached to a hard hat be tested on the hard hat  to assure the compliance of the eye and face protection is not compromised by the attachment method to the hard hat . Therefore, any welding shield that is attached to a hard hat must be tested together as a system to insure the system meets compliance.

In addition to the MSA/Miller products’ meeting all the specific requirements for welding equipment, their combined use also has been approved to work together according to Section 5.6 on Aftermarket Components, eliminating the confusion workers may face in selecting equipment that works well together while meeting compliance guidelines.

Specifically, the ANSI Z87.1-2015–approved MSA/Miller Welding Shield and Adapters are now compatible—and compliant—with the following:

MSA V-Gard® Caps
Skullgard® Caps
Thermalgard® Caps
SmoothDome® Caps

The MSA/Miller system offers a top level of protection—along with the improved functionality of two industry leaders joining forces—ensured by approval for compliance with the latest standards.

Phone: 1-800-MSA-2222
www.msasafety.com